International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has appointed Colin Graham as a Partner in the firm’s Corporate team.
Joining from Gide Loyrette Nouel with extensive expertise in international energy, infrastructure and M&A projects, Graham will enhance WBD’s Energy and Natural Resources practice in the UK and internationally. This includes fostering close partnerships with the firm’s US teams, strategic alliances, and the broader Lex Mundi network to support cross-border projects.
Graham’s appointment is timely and aligns with the government’s evolving Industrial Strategy. His specific expertise across international gas, LNG, power, infrastructure and resources will deepen WBD’s capabilities, as well as unlock opportunities in emerging sectors such as nuclear.
Commenting on his new role, Colin Graham said: “The global energy supply chain is undergoing a transformative shift. WBD has a great reputation for helping clients navigate this dynamic sector and the complexities of energy transition. I’m eager to join the firm’s impressive team, continuing to advise on innovative energy and infrastructure mandates and working with WBD’s top-class energy disputes and energy regulatory experts to deliver national and international projects.”
The new appointment follows WBD’s recent agreement with leading Brazilian law firm Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel (Schmidt Valois), to create a strategic alliance that extends the firm's footprint to three continents. The alliance has a particular focus on the energy sector, with Schmidt Valois having worked on energy projects across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America.
Paul Stewart, WBD Managing Partner, added: “From energy security and global supply chain resilience to regulatory compliance and the growing role of AI in the sector, there are a myriad of legal energy challenges and opportunities ahead of us. As we continue to grow our business, Colin’s extensive expertise will strengthen our existing practices in emerging energy and resources markets, and I know our clients will benefit from his decades of experience.”
During his time at Gide, Graham focused on corporate and commercial projects, particularly in the international energy, power and resources sectors. He played a pivotal role in major gas interconnector projects, such as the Shah Deniz Phase II project, and the Trans-Adriatic, Trans-Anatolian, and Trans-Asia pipelines.
During his career, Graham has advised on a number of major energy transition and decarbonisation projects, including EDF Energy’s Sizewell C nuclear project. He supported the World Bank and Vietnamese Government in a decarbonisation strategy to move from coal to gas, and contributed to Vietnam’s Bac Lieu LNG-to-power project. Colin has also worked on renewables projects worldwide, most recently on reforestation and mangrove rehabilitation projects for TotalEnergies and Removall, as well as African micro-solar for EDF and battery metals projects in South America.
This news story was originally published on the firm’s website.